Device for controlling elevators.



W. E. BROWN.

DEVICE FOR GONTROLLING ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1913.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

. In ven tor:

WE. 48m

YG/e z a zl tty UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER E. BROWN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 21, 1913.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Serial No. 768,947.

useful improvements in devices for controlling elevators.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved device which prevents the starting of an elevator car as long as one of the doors in the elevator shaft is partly or entirely open and only permits the starting of the elevator, in either direction, after the doors have all been closed completely and also permits stopping the car in case a shaft door has been opened after the car has begun to move.

In the accompanying drawings in which like letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures: Figure 1 is a diagram showing the electrical circuits for the shaft door switches. Fig. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of my new and improved device. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line d(t of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an end View.

In the diagram Fig. 1 the numeral 1 represents an electric switch of any approved construction, of which one is provided for the shaft door at each floor and which switches are normally open when the corresponding door is closed, but whenever the door is partly or entirely open, that is, not completely closed, the corresponding switch is automatically closed by a spring or other suitable means, the particular construction or operation of which switch forms no part of this particular invention. The two members of each of the said switches are connected in multiple with the two conductors 2 and 8, which are connected with the terminals of a solenoid 4. This solenoid is securely held in a fixed frame 5 and the solenoid contains the sliding core 6 which at its outer end is guided in an insulated yoke or guide 7. To the outer end of this core an arm 8 is secured and a helical spring 9 serves to force the core 6 outward in relation to the solenoid. In the embodiment shown the spring 9 surrounds part of the arm 8 and rests at one end against the yoke 7 and at the opposite end against a'collar l0 fixed on said arm 8. The lower end of the arm 8 forms a fiat head 11 having an extension or tongue 12. This head is slidably mounted in an opening 13 in a sliding frame 14, the opening 13 being of such size that the head 11 has more or less play therein, lengthwise of the frame. The frame 14 has a notch or recess 15, into which the tongue or extension 1.2 of the head 11 passes, a helical spring 16 being interposed between the inner end of the .notch or recess 15 and the free end of the tongue 12 as shown. The frame 14 is mounted to slide lengthwise between two fixed plates 17 and 18, each having an opening 19, in each of which openings a flaring cup 20 is held, the said cups flaring in opposite directions.

The sliding frame 14 has a circular opening 21 of the same size as the openings 19 and registering therewith, as long as the sliding frame 14 is held in normal position by the spring 9. Slots 22 lead to said openings 19 and 21. The pull rope 23 used for starting and stopping the elevator car passes through the openings 19 and 21 and moves up and down through the same. On said pull rope two balls 24 and 25 are secured, a short distance apart. These balls have their inner adjacent ends flattened and their outer ends curved or tapered as shown. When the elevator car is at rest one of these balls is above one cup and the other beneath the other cup and to start the car in one direction or the other, one of the balls must he moved through one or both of the cups and through the openings 19 and 21 which is possible as long as the elevator shaft doors are all closed, as then the sliding frame 14 is in normal position and the openings 19 and 21 register. As soon as any shaft door is opened, the corresponding electric switch 1. is closed and the solenoid excited, whereby its core is drawn inward and by the act-ion of the tongue 12 of the head 11 on the spring 16 the sliding frame 14 is moved lengthwise to such an extent as to bring the openings 19 and 21 out of register, that is, the sliding frame 14 partly closes the openings 19. If the said shaft door is opened while the car is at rest, which is' the .general condition, the balls 24 and 25 will be at opposite sides of the slide and thus prevent moving the pull rope up or down, as the fiat ends of the balls encounter or meet the sliding frame 14 which stops them. The parts remain in these positions until the opened or partly opened shaft door is closed completely and its switch 1 thereby opened whereby the electric current is broken and the solenoid core is released and forced outward by the spring 9. Thereby the head 11 acting on the sliding frame 14 moves the same to the right and the open ings l9 and 21 are brought to register again.

If a shaft door is opened while the car is moving and both balls 24 and 25 are above or below the sliding frame, the pnll-rope 23 can be brought to stopping position, because no difference whether it is pulled up or down, the tapered end of a ball will strike the edge of the openin 21 in the sliding frame and move it to the right, against the tension of the spring 1.6 to bring the openings 19 and 21 in register temporarily, to permit one ball to pass, but the second ball cannot pass, as its flattened end meets the sliding frame, which, immediately after the first ball has passed is brought into locking position by the spring 16. The rope is never clamped or held but merely an obstruct-ion is at times placed into the path of the balls 2st or 25 which obstruction can be temporarily moved aside, by one ball only, when both balls are at the same side of the sliding frame.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is The combination with a solenoid and its core, a source of electricity and means for closing and breaking the circuit of said solenoid, of a slide having an opening and a recess extending from said opening, a plate of less length than said opening mounted to slide lengthwise in, said opening, a tongue extending from said plate into the recess, a spring interposed between the inner end of the recess and the free end oi the tongue, said slide being provided in the end opposite the one provided with the recess, with an opening through which an eleator hand rope and balls on said hand rope can pass,

said sliding plate being operatively connected with the core of the solenoid, substantially as set forth.

Signed at New York eity in the county of New York and State of New York this 19th day of February, A. D. 1913.

WALTER l5. BRO\VN.

\Vitnesses HUGH B. Prroiinn, OSCAR F. GUNZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

